Peak flow meter readings how to#
The Asthma Initiative of Michigan has a useful template for how to track PF scores, which you can download here. Use the highest of the three readings as your PF score, and take note of that in your asthma (or COPD or CF) diary.Repeat steps one through six two more times, so you have a total of three readings.Write down the value that you score for L/Min.Breathe out with maximum effort, as hard and fast as you can, until you've run out of air in your lungs and can't breathe out anymore.Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and seal your lips around it.Start fresh by sliding the arrow marker to zero, or the base of the scale.Ask your doctor how often many times a day you should use your peak flow meter. But if you are having more lung trouble than usual, you may have to use the device more often. The best time to take your peak flow levels is in the morning before you take your asthma medications. Getting a low peak flow reading can indicate that your condition is worsening or that your airways are narrowing. Otherwise, a poor receiver may not notice if their condition is worsening and it could lead to episodes of difficulty breathing like an asthma attack. It's especially important for these people to use their peak flow meters regularly, says Atul Malhotra MD, Research Chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at UC San Diego Health. Peak flow meters are especially helpful for people who are " poor perceivers," meaning that they have trouble identifying the signs of a worsening lung condition without a clear metric. Track asthma over time and determine if it's worsening or improving.Know when to call your doctor or in serious cases, get emergency care.Assess how well your current treatment/medication is working.Keeping track of your peak flow levels can help you: Instructions will vary, but it's common for a doctor to recommend measuring your peak flow levels twice a day. Your doctor will let you know if you can benefit from using one, as well as how to read your results. These conditions can result in reduced airflow out of the lungs and difficulty fully exhaling.
Peak flow meters are typically helpful for people with obstructive lung conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis. You simply blow as hard as you can into the device and it will measure your air flow rate in liters per minute (L/Min). Peak flow meters are inexpensive (the average price is around $15 to $20), handheld, and easy to use. Here's what you need to know about how to use a peak flow meter to know if your respiratory condition is worsening. The device is a valuable tool for people with a respiratory condition like asthma or COPD, because it helps track the condition and stay on top of their overall health. If you change meters, you will need to find your child's asthma zones using the new meter.A peak flow meter is a device that measures how well your lungs expel air. Your child may need emergency treatment or admission to a hospital.Įach meter is a little different. Get medical help right away, and follow your child's action plan. Symptoms may be severe, including extreme shortness of breath and coughing. Your child is in the red zone if the peak flow is less than 50% of your child's personal best. Your child's asthma action plan will tell you what to do when your child is in the yellow zone. For example, if the personal best flow is 400, multiplying by 0.50 is 200. To figure 50%, multiply the best flow by 0.50. Your child is in the yellow zone if the peak flow is 50% to 79% of your child's personal best. So if the personal best is 400, your child is in the green zone as long as the peak flow is 320 or higher. For example, if the personal best flow is 400, multiplying by 0.80 gives you 320. To figure 80%, multiply the personal best by 0.80. Your child is in the green zone if the peak flow is 80% to 100% of your child's personal best. You want your child to be in the green zone every day. Your child's personal best is the highest peak flow recorded over a 2- to 3-week period when the asthma is under control. You do this by comparing your child's current peak flow to their personal best peak flow. The peak flow can help you find out what asthma zone your child is in. The plan will include peak flow and your child's asthma symptoms. You can work with the doctor to make an asthma action plan. How do you and your child use peak flow to manage asthma?Īn asthma action plan helps you and your child deal with asthma.
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